There are so many variables in this conversation, I thought I'd give you my two cents.
I have had an ongoing debate with myself over each of those elements of discussion, for more than a decade. I have 5 years in Radio, 15 in Television, but like many of you, my duties go far beyond my daily forecasting. Like being the main host of the 2 big telethons, a good will ambassador to the station with every public appearance I make, visiting dozens of schools and leading classes on tours through the station. Those kids ask lots of questions.
To the "what does it take to be a weatherman?" I often take the middle of the road and explain that without Presentation skills, what ever message you wish to communicate will likely get lost. And if you are not skilled with the knowledge of your given topic, your audience will soon see through your presentation.
So, I stress the combination of knowledge and presentation and personality to communicate effectively in WHATEVER they decide to do with their life. I also explain this works just as well with most any school project that may require you to get in front of the class, as it does with my weather.
I'm part of a great team that has consistently win the morning and noon ratings. I believe it's because of the K + P + P = C formula I mentioned earlier. We know our stuff, we deliver it well, the audience likes the way we do it and they share with us every day (we are out in the public) how much they enjoy the banter.
Our News Director is weather crazy. (At first we just thought he was crazy, but he was so right with his decisions) Our metered market showed our "Wall to Wall" coverage of severe weather brought viewers in from every corner of the cable spectrum. Major, massive spikes in the numbers. I wouldn't be here unless my ND believed in my abilities to deliver accurate information in a calm manner to potentially save lives in a severe weather outbreak.
I personally utilize our Kavouris weather system, NWS products along with many other sources when interpreting weather data for our area and eventually putting MY forecast on the air. Right or wrong, it's coming back to ME, because I said it, and my viewers will call me on it.
Because of what I bring to the table, I feel like I'm being paid handsomely for versatility as a communicator at the TV station I work for. Plus, more than a dozen years in the market have allowed for a presence that has developed into a Radio Weather network. (adding to my income and market presence) and, you can't do weather for dozens of years and not learn something new almost everyday!
I grew up in Florida with a great fascination of the threat of Hurricanes. Now, let's be realistic. Everything that I know about Hurricanes, everything I could ever learn in my lifetime about hurricanes, will never hold a candle to the knowledge and resources available to me. From the internet, (Storm98, NHC, whatever) I can learn the latest projections and in depth analysis from SEVERAL sources, then utilize that knowledge and incorporate it into my forecast.
Why wouldn't you utilize the valuable resources available to you in bringing the most accurate forecast to your viewers? How could you not take seriously the information provided by your local NWS office? Is it Ego? While most days the toughest part of your weathercast is trying to find a way to be creative in its delivery, let's remember priority number one is bringing potentially life saving information to those in our area. Let's worry later where that life saving information came from.
I don't have the AMS or NWA seal. I'm not convinced it would add to my abilities or income. (I realize it may limit my advancement into certain markets) I am constantly learning more and more about the weather, but rarely can you incorporate the detailed portions of weather analysis into your presentation, as 1) time won't allow it, and 2) the audience wouldn't understand it!
So ask yourself: Are you happy with where you work? Are you confident in your abilities? Are you getting positive feedback to your work? Are you striving to overcome your weakness? Are you able to provide accurate and potentially life saving information to viewers when they depend on you the most?
You set your own agenda. You map your own future. You make the decisions that will or will not take you to your ultimate goal. Part of that journey may require you to get an AMS or NWA seal. This is such a personal mission, that as long as "in your heart" you strive to gain knowledge and skills to share important, timely weather information with the public, I'll respect your abilities, seal, or no seal.
I believe my public, your public, will decide as to your credibility over weeks, months or years of delivering forecasts, NOT by having the AMS or NWA seals by your name. (chyroned for the first few seconds over our ever shortening weathercasts) I've been very fortunate to be part of a great team of professionals, and generally liked by the audience in my market. I like what I'm doing, have no urge to move into the "Big Boy" position of evening newscasts. Part of getting up at 2:30 each morning is knowing that at 1pm, I'm free, free to visit schools, schedule lunches with friends and family, go take a nap, get my kids from school, spend time with them before the sun goes down, and cook dinner for my family. (I've done all of those in one day, once.)
Uhm, "can't we all just get along?" Don't we all have a common goal?
I just wanted to share my ongoing 'internal debate' over the questions that have been brought forward by your forum.
Todd Demers
WREG (CBS)
Memphis, TN
Toddon3@aol.com